Page 1 of The Billionaire's Catch

CHAPTER 1

He was the most commanding man she’d ever seen.

The boldest.

The most powerful.

But most of all, he was her greatest obstacle.

And they hadn’t even met.

He had burst from the entourage of limos as she arrived, so Dara Everett swiftly slipped through the exclusive entrance to The Sweet Spot’s VIP room, a privilege only granted to celebrities, athletes or billionaires, or those who knew them. Fortunately, as niece of the owner of a Major League Baseball team, Dara had scored an admission. She’d settled into a corner booth, slouching underneath a massive painting of a woman clothed only in rose petals and dew, between two cooper-hued statues of a man and woman clothed in nothing. Overstuffed red leather couches and distressed wooden tables crowded the spacious room, illuminated by modern lamps casting dim beams of light in the darkness. The room was dense with socialites and celebrities dressed in sexy, sheer outfits and drenched in designer perfume that cost thousands an ounce. Insincere laughter mixed with chiming wine glasses, an asynchronous harmony that pierced her eardrums like nails against a chalkboard.

A commotion sounded by the door, and she turned, just as the focus of her thoughts strode in. Gasps and whispers sounded as people took in the strapping giant of a man, surrounded by fellow players, bodyguards and, of course, a legion of the most beautiful women in the world. Celebrities and billionaires alike stared at the man who was in a league of his own, as more people rushed to join his followers. He smiled with easy charm. like a king playing court. And the people played right into their roles of adoring subjects.

She straightened, attempting to see the star athlete over the fans vying for a glimpse of their hero. Even in the high-end club, he stood out. One overachiever even boasted a lifelike tattoo peeking out from under her cleavage. How many women dreamed of having him just that close?

How close would she get?

In seconds, Jason Sterling became the discussion of every conversation. A woman wearing Jason’s jersey with strategically placed cut-outs called him the “hot tamale muscle man of her dreams” and another said she wanted to take a lick. Of course, he was beyond good looking, breathtaking even. He was about fifty levels above there, and then some. He looked like Adonis or Thor or a glorious combination of the two, with shoulder length golden blond hair, piercing blue eyes and a body of solid muscle. As for finances, an astronomical salary, hundreds of endorsements and wise investments added billionaire to his resume. The Florida Dragons catcher was an athlete like no other, with a sky high batting average and nearly superhuman moves behind the plate. Add to that movie star looks, a rock hard body and enough charm to disarm a nun, and he’d become the hottest bachelor in America.

A shiver raced through her, but she forcefully squelched it. It didn’t matter how he looked, only how he acted.

With stealthy movements, Dara removed her cell phone and shot a quick picture of the commotion. Several Dragons players were present: Chance Jenkins, a personable playboy, and Andy Sawyer, one of the more serious members of the team. There were also members of the infamous group, The Billionaires of Miami, including Aidan Bancroft, Cameron Drake and Dominick Knight. Jason and his group took their seats at the other end of the lounge.

For a few minutes, she observed Jason as he chatted with his friends. Rounds of liquor were brought with regularity, but he nursed the same beer. Actually, he didn’t appear to take a sip of the amber brew. She wasn’t surprised. After the accident, she doubted he’d drink at all. Not that he’d been the one driving that fateful night…

Focus. She took a deep breath, returned to her quarry. Women gushed over the star athlete, and although Jason talked to them, he actually did keep his hands to himself. She narrowed her eyes when one bold woman reached under the table in a direction that could only lead to one place, but Jason returned the woman’s hand with a stern look of disproval.

Then… he looked up.

She’d been staring straight at him, and she quickly looked away. She’d forgotten to be subtle, instead acting like a teenager who’d read one too many Nancy Drew novels. She took a sip of her bottled water and peeked out from under her lids.

Sapphire eyes pierced her like a dagger. They studied, examined, challenged. A slow smile spread across his face.

She gulped, fighting the heat threatening to engulf her. He couldn’t know who she was, at least not yet. Her uncle wanted to introduce her at the team meeting. Yet as he gazed at her, she wondered if somehow he’d discovered the truth.

“Hello, sweetheart.”

Dara jerked, her attention forcefully stolen as two large, grinning and clearly inebriated men stumbled to her table. They loomed over her, and their grins widened.

“Is this seat taken?” Without waiting for an answer, one of the guys, a sweaty man with long hair and leering eyes plopped down next to her. “How are you doing?”

“I bet great now that we’re here.” The other man gave her a lewd look as he collapsed down on her other side. He reached a beefy paw around her.

A sliver of unease rattled her. “I’m sorry. I’m waiting for someone.”

“And now we’re here.” The long-haired man slid closer. Dara tried to escape to the opposite side, but the other man lumbered his perspiration-covered body closer, surrounding her in the noxious odor of sweat, alcohol and urine. “You should consider yourself lucky. You have no idea how big our…” He gestured down at himself with a lecherous grin. “Bank accounts are.” The men guffawed loudly at the vulgar joke.

Her heart slammed against her ribs. Even in the busy room, no one noticed, as instincts screamed danger. Dara pushed against the unmovable men, fought to maneuver around them, but they matched her moves. “I don’t care how big – or small – anything you own is. Let me go.”

“Sure you care.” The long-haired man waved his hand. “When women discover the company our dad owns, they’re usually happy to associate with us. What do you want… dresses, jewelry, diamonds?”

“I want nothing from you.” Now Dara pushed even harder against the beefy man, yet he didn’t move. Would anyone notice if she screamed? “I told you I was waiting for someone.”

The beefy man took her bluff, leaning forward, enveloping her in a hot breath of rancid beer. “Oh yeah? Do you belong to someone, little girl?”

“Actually, she belongs to me.”

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